The Harder They Come poster

The Harder They Come

With a Piece in His Hand He Takes on the Man!

6.6(132)19721h 43mRated R3

Ivanhoe Martin arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, looking for work and, after some initial struggles, lands a recording contract as a reggae singer. He records his first song, "The Harder They Come," but after a bitter dispute with a manipulative producer named Hilton, soon finds himself resorting to petty crime in order to pay the bills. He deals marijuana, kills some abusive cops and earns local folk hero status. Meanwhile, his record is topping the charts.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
English
  • cinema on cinema
  • gangster
  • disc jockey
  • jamaica
  • church choir
  • reggae
  • parish
  • recording contract
  • record producer
  • record label
  • murder
  • marijuana

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Jamaica

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalRNew York City, New York8 Feb 1973
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalGaumont Cinema, London1 Sept 1972
    • PremiereCH4 Film Jamaica12 Mar 2008
    • PremiereLeeds International Film Festival5 Nov 2022
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical12Unabhängige Kinos25 Oct 1974
  • ItalyIT

    • TheatricalVenice Film Festival1 Aug 1972
  • JamaicaJM

    • PremiereKingston5 Jun 1972

Frequently asked questions

The Harder They Come was released on 1 August 1972.

Audience reviews

2IMDb 6.9/10
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    9/3/2022

    6/10

    Firstly, a quick shout out for the new Garden Cinema in Holborn, London where I saw this recently. A small cinema, but it's great to see a new venue opening so give it a go if you are nearby. To the film, well that sees Jimmy Cliff as "Ivan" - a would-be reggae singer who manages to get himself a record deal with a fairly unscrupulous local producer. The song does OK, but he gets a pretty measly share. Frustrated - a…

  • R

    r96sk

    8/19/2025

    8/10

    <em>'The Harder They Come'</em> is entertaining crime flick fare. Jimmy Cliff brings a solid lead performance and some excellent music, which is certainly this film's strongest element; the eponymous track and "Sweet And Dandy" being my personal picks. The other cast members play their respective parts well. I've not got much more to note. Good music, enjoyable plot and sturdy messaging. What else is needed? 8/10,…

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